In the heart of the Dorset countryside on a warm July weekend, thousands of trade unionists joined together for a three-day celebration of the trade union movement at Tolpuddle Festival.
Featuring a diverse range of activities including workshops, panels, music, live theatre and a whole field of child friendly arts, crafts, stories and songs, the festival is one the highlights of the year for many.
Thousands of people flock to the green fields of Tolpuddle each year in celebration of the trade union movement. Image credit: © The MU.
Traditionally a rallying call to push for a Labour government and an end to austerity, improve workers’ rights and reaffirm collective solidarity for all workers, this year took on a more joyful carnival feel, in celebration of the recent general election. The festival hosted several South West labour MPs throughout the weekend.
MU presence at Tolpuddle
The MU were represented through many of our members performing on the various stages, including Lady Nade, a South West local, who joined our Campaign & Organising Support Official Sinead McCarney to speak on the Creative Arts panel.
The panel discussed a wide range of subjects impacting the arts including AI, funding cuts and lived experience as a performer building a career in the industry.
Lady Nade (far left) and Sinead McCarney (second right) were speakers on the Creative Arts panel. Image credit: © The MU.
Highlights of the weekend included a live retelling of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a story of six agricultural labourers in 1834, who were convicted of swearing a secret oath as part of a union forming ceremony, and sentenced to penal transportation to Australia.
They were only pardoned due to the mass public outcry over their treatment, and watching it performed in the very field it all began as the sun set was a magical experience.
Other highlights included a speech by newly elected Poole MP and MU member Neil Duncan-Jorden, who spoke passionately about the new deal for workers and the importance of trade unions and collective organising.
Get in early - join us next year
The culmination of the weekend saw over 4,000 people make the traditional banner march through the village, accompanied by union brass bands, samba bands and lots of singing.
The Tolpuddle festival happens every year in July, and is an opportunity for members of all trade unions to come together to discuss, plan and celebrate our collective achievements. We actively encourage members to participate!
If you would like to get involved next year, please contact MU Campaign & Organising Support Official Sinead via sinead.mccarney@themu.org.